In 2007, Super Boat International continues to give racers
in the Southeast a place to scratch their competitive itch.
By Eric Colby

Since 1990, the offshore racing community has seen the arrival of the Offshore Professional Tour headed up by Don Johnson, Super Boat International Productions, Super Boat International, and myriad other organizations. Deep-pocketed racers like Matt Alcone, Forest Barber, Laith Pharaon and others have come and gone during those 17 years. One name, however, has remained constant during that time. He is John Carbonell and he’s the president of Super Boat International. “It’s the same old,” he said. You could almost picture him waving a hand in condescension. “Nothing changes. It’s multiple organizations, here today, gone tomorrow.” Say what you will about Carbonell, but you cannot deny the ultimate truth that matters to offshore racers. During those 17 years, he has been the one constant who has put on races, delivered television coverage and basically given those who want to race a schedule that allows them to do so. One of the reasons why he’s been so successful is that Carbonell runs his organization as a business. Race sites need to have their funding in order before SBI arrives with an event, but he’s always looking to push the envelope. SBI was the first organization with an event in the Bahamas as well as the first to stage and event in Argentina. To this day, when you talk to an SBI competitor, the fan turnout at the Argentina races is a topic of amazement. Most recently, Carbonell had the pieces in place for his organization to race in China, but strained relations with North Korea and the generally unstable international attitude toward Americans caused him to circle the wagons and keep things closeby—for now. That doesn’t mean Carbonell hasn’t been busy looking for new ways to promote SBI, which has an 13-race schedule for 2007. He’s signed Wave Life Magazine as the official publication for SBI and has an agreement to put six 90-minute shows into IMAX theaters starting in November. As always, longtime announcer and former professional wrestler Stan Lane will be the man behind the microphone. “I’m looking for a different niche,” Carbonell said, explaining why he went with Wave Life as opposed to more well-known names in the go-fast world. “I want to get to the people who don’t know about it and can get them interested in it.” He said he’ll put six shows in IMAX theaters and then will sell the DVDs afterward. One aspect of racing that has changed with the current teams is that it’s hard to get the same number of boats into a given site because of all the extras people bring in. “Now the guys bring so much stuff with the trailers, all the toys, it’s an impact to the city,” said Carbonell. “I learned that a long time ago,” He said that he has targeted his organization’s schedule to the greater Florida area as a response to racer demands. “You don’t make money racing and the cost of racing has skyrocketed with the fuel, the travel, the hotel rooms,” said Carbonell. This year, SBI will have a Florida state championship, national and world championships and a triple-crown title someone can win. This year’s SBI kilo runs will be held on the Pamlico River in North Carolina. Then the weekend’s racing will take place in Moorehead City, N.C. Anyone who runs two races with any organization can quality for the SBI worlds. With every racer looking for the best competition, Carbonell’s straightforward approach to race promotion and staging should be admired. He’s always said that he’s put on races and he has the competitors’ interests in mind. “You’ve got to change to keep people interested and that’s what we’re working on.

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